An evolution of a room

For months, I have been tweaking my front room trying to get it close to something that I like. I think it's lookin' pretty spiffy and even though I am not done with it, I am starting to really like it.

First of all, the room is really centered around this print that I love. My Mom bought this print several years ago on a trip to Italy with my sister Sharmyn. It's an architectural rendering of the cathedral in Florance. Mom framed her several years ago and found that she had an extra print that she gave to me. I stored it for years while we moved around hoping to frame it someday. Finally several months ago, I took the plunge and got 'er all fixed up. I found an amazing vintage frame for a mere $3 (or was it $5?) that was perfect for it. I drug my Mom with me to the frame shop and had her pick out the mats for it. I am thrilled with the results! I love it! (It's hard to photograph - lesson learned - always request non-glare glass.) Of course, I emailed Sharmyn with the finished results where I learned that it was actually her print! They both had bought the exact same print but Sharmyn never got hers. Mom wonder why she had an extra but never thought to ask Sharm. Thankfully, she let me have it so I could forgive myself for being a thief.

Of course I bought this fantastic rug last February. It's perfect for impromptu dancing parties for a ballerina, a princess and a break dancer. I slapped some brown curtains up and added few brown pillows and called it good for a long time. It just needed something though. It was too brown.

I scored these vintage tables a few weeks ago. I had seen them at the D.I. before and loved their lines, but thought they were too short for side tables. The next week they were still there (and marked down!) when I realized that they would make a very cool, original coffee table. They work perfectly and I love them! They are sturdy and large making a perfect make-shift homework/art spot and support the weight of the wild child who thinks that they are jumping off onto the sofa tables. I may paint them someday, but for now, I am liking their original look. Now if I could just figure out how to decorate them?

While browsing last August, I am came upon these fantastic blue silk curtains that perfectly pulled the blue out of the print and rug and added the much needed brightness to the room. LOVE them!

One of my favorite blogs is This Young House . They are a super fab, home decorating on a budget duo and if you don't read them, you should. Anyway, they hung bamboo shades on their big picture window in their front room and I thought it look super-de-dooper and set out to copy them. Love the texture and it does make the windows feel taller just like they said. Fantastic idea Young House!! I even hung them myself because I am awesome like that.

The sofa got a makeover too. I would really, really love a new sofa, but that's not in the picture right now (doesn't stop me from looking however). I retired the old hardworking slipcover for this chocolate linen one, added a few warm gold throw pillows and the cute striped one from Target and ta-da! New and much improved room!

I have lots left that needs to be done and I can't wait to pull up the not so white anymore carpets to refinish the hardwood. And there is the minor detail of not having a front room closet to store all of my coats and junk. Lots of inspiration from Young House and Sharmyn was the best at helping me with this room. What's that you say? She doesn't live in Utah? Why would that stop her from helping. She was sweet and patient with me as I sent her weekly e-mails about my ideas, my finds and what do you think about this? And of course the fantastic print. So thanks Sharm! But that aside, what do you think?? Is it fab and swanky or just not your taste? (Yes, I just stole Young House terminology.)